Too early to say yes' or 'no', Council tells Pondera Hydro
PABLO - Representatives of Pondera Hydro, Inc., met with the Tribal Council March 28 to further discuss their Flathead River dam development ideas, but came away without the hoped-for green light to begin feasibility studies.
PHI officers Fred Houle and Jim Hodge (and a silent WalJy Wievoda) debated the proposed development of Buffalo Rapids 2 and 4 for two hours
with the Council and about 70 other concerned people.
Three of the eight Council members present voiced strong opposition to the proposal (Ron Therriault, Jim Steele and Kevin Howlett); two said it was too early for a decision; and three expressed specific doubts, but no discernable firm "yes" or "no".
Houle reiterated that PHI wasn't asking for permission to build any dams right now .He said they were requesting approval to study the feasibility of future development. Should the study - and the Tribes and FERC ~ say development should proceed, then Pondera would want to build one or two dams and share in the resulting revenue.
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Tribes host national fish and wildlife conference
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The 4th annual Native American Fish & Wildlife Society conference is set for April 8-11 at the Village Red Lion Motor Inn in Missoula (off the Van Buren exit).
The four- day event will include a wide range of public talks about fish and wildlife concerns, especially as they involve Indian tribes. Speakers will be representing a variety of tribes and federal agencies.
The conference coincides with two other events: the annual International Wildlife Film Festival, and the Native American Natural Resources Media Symposium, both sponsored by the University of Montana
"By simultaneously holding the society meeting [with the film festivals], participants will have the opportunity to view great wildlife films in the evenings and exchange views with others," notes Herschel Mays, NAFWS conference coordinator (and director of the Tribes' Wildland Recreation Department).
Two particular highlights of the conference will be a tour of the Flathead Reservation, which will include a feast at the Kicking Horse Job Corps Center, and a morning showing of "Contrary Warriors", an award-winning documentary about the Crow Tribe.
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Lodgepole management plan panned.................Page 4
Wilderness fire plan approved........................Page 5
What's news at: Head Start..........................Page 6
Tribal employees and substance abuse................Page 8
People in the news................................Page 10
Calendar, Places to go.............................Page 12